Harness-trace.



No. 738,596. PATENTED SEPT. s, 1903.

` E. K. BELLIS.

HARNESS TRACE.

APPLICATION FILED `AUG. 1, 1902. NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1903.

D. K. BELLIS.

HARNESS TRACE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No MODEL.

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UNITED- STATES.

Patented september e, 190e.

PATENT OEEICE.

Y DANIEL K. BELLIS, OF MANTN, MCHIGAN.

HARNESS-TRACE.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. |738,596, dated September 8, 190B.

Application iiled August ll 1902.` Serial No. 117,976. (No model.)

i .harness-traces of that class which employ t cause of sore and galled shoulders of the` l leather and metallic chains in their con-` struction.

In the present service of'leather-traces it is foundl that the traces comprising the pair used in harness are liable to stretch unequally, bowing to the constant exposure to the weather and to the wetting which the leather receives, Aparticularly under conditions of service such as in swampy places and in wintryfclimates.4 This inequality in the length of thepair of traces frequently is the direct horses, and it is a cause of much discomfort tothe animal and of expense to the owner thereof.

' One object of this invention is to overcome stretching lof the leather by a composite trace embodying a metallic chain as 'an integral part thereof, the leather and the chain being so combined as to retain the desirable pliability or flexibility ofthe trace.

A further object is to provide a simple and` strong article in-which the weight is minimized, the chain and the trace are compactly disposed so as to present a minimum thickness, the chain is housed in the leather in a manner to be concealed and protected from the weather, and the leather presents a fiat side'for engagement with the horses legs.

Further objects are to provide means for -readily disconnecting the chain and for securely fastening it to the leather trace, to enablea heel-chain or 4cockeye to be used in connection with the trace, and to provide a simple and efficient means by which the trace may be easily and quickly attached to or removed from .a haine.

With these ends inview the invention consists in the novel combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Reference is to behad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a harness-trace constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3

`is a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4. is another cross-section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the chain-retaining plate, which is adapted to be placed adjacent to the hame-clip plate. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line G G of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through the trace shown by Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-section on the line S S of Fig. 7.

Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively a detail plan view of another form of trace and a cross'- section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a detail view of one of the chain-links- The leather trace 5 is provided with a longitudinal chamber or pocket 6, which is formed by superposing a proper number of layers 7 upon the foundation layer 5 of the trace and arranging these layers 7 in parallel spaced re lation to each other, as shown by Figs. 3 and 4. On top of the parallel rows of layers 7 are laid the flaps 8, which are united with the layers 7 to the foundation-strap 5 by sewing, riveting, or otherwise fastening .the parts firmly together. The iiaps 8 are extended over the chamber 6, so as to substantially meet each other at theirinner edges, and these flaps are provided with eyelets or apertures 9,which receive the lacing-thong 10, the latter serving'to unite the iiaps and close them securely.

over the longitudinal chamber'. The layers 7 and S do not extend the full length of the foundation layer 5, and hence the end por tions of this foundation layer are extended or prolonged beyond the chamber, so as to form the tongues 5 5b.

O11 the tongue 5", adjacent to one end of the longitudinal chamber 6, is provided a clip 11, consisting of a base-plate which is doubled or folded upon itself, so as to form the loop 12, and the overlapping plate 13, said base-plate of the clip being riveted or otherwise firmly attached to the tongue 5 at points beyond the end of the chamber. The doubled portion of the clip which formsrtheeye or loop 12 extends into one end of said chamber TOO ' head is adapted for engagement With the slot 6, and to this loop is connected vthe link 14 at one end of a flat metallic chain 14, the latter extending lengthwise ofthe chamber 6 and arranged compactly against the foundation layer 5 of the trace, The other link 14", at the opposite end of the chain, is adapted for connection With a heel-clip 15, which consists'of a metallic plate that is doubled or folded upon itself in a manner to form a baseplate, an eye or loop 16, and a top plate 17. The base -plate of the heel -clip is fastened securely to the tongue 5b of the leather trace by rivets, screws, or other suitable devices, and the eye or loop 16 of this heel-clip is extended or projected beyond the end of the chamber 6 in a manner to expose the Vsaine for engagement by a link 18 of a heel-chain, or in lieu of this heel-chain I may employ a cockeye ladapted for engagement with said loop of the heel-clip.

Each link of the chain 14 is made from a single flat piece of metal which is doubled or folded upon itself, so as to bring the end portions thereof into overlapping relation and to form a loop or eye at the other end of the link. The overlapping ends of the link are notched onopposite sides, as at 19, in order to produce a T-head 2O at one end of the link, as shown by Fig. 11, and the othereye-formed end of the link is provided With a slot 21. The clip l1 is provided in its eye 12 With a longitudinal slot 12, into which is adapted to be thrust the T- headed end of the chain-link 14, The heel-clip 15 is provided with a T- shaped head at the overlapping portion thereof, and this in the eye or loop of thc chain-link 14. The links of the chain 14 are coupled together by inserting the T-head of one link in the slot of the loop or eye of an adjacent link, and thus the series of links are connected flexibly and detachably together in series throughout the length of the chain. It is evident that the flexible flat chain has the link 14a connected detachably to a fixed clip on the tongue 5ft of the trace, While the other link 14b o f the chain is connected in a like manner With the heelclip on thetongue 5b at the opposite end of the chain, whereby the chain is adapted to strengthen and reinforce the leather trace in a manner to overcome stretching thereof, and at the same time said metallic chain is compactly arranged Within the chambered leather oase and is free to flex or move in any direction, so that the trace as an entirety is quite pliable or flexible in order to meet the practical conditions of service.

Between the base :member 11 and the overlappingplate 13 of the clip adjacent to the hame is interposed a limiting-plate 23, Which is adapted to be fastened in place by a bolt or by bolts 231. This limiting-plate is adapted to extend into the eye or loop 12 oftheclip and it engages with or lies close tothe T-headed end of thelink 14",;Whereby said plate serves to limit or restrict the endWise movement of the link 14a within the clip-eye 12.

It Willbe understood that the bolts 23L may be removed and that the limiting-plate 13 may be Withdrawn from the eye portion 12a ofthe clip-plate 1l. This permits the operator by bending or flexing the leather sheath or strap to slip the headed end 19 of the link 14 out of the slotted eye 12q1 of the clip-plate, thus detaching one end portion of the chain 14 from the clip-plate 11. The chain may noW be slipped bodily out of the chamber afforded by the sheath, and the eye-formed end of the other terminal link 14b of `said chain may be manipulated in a Way to free it from the head on the heel-clip of the trace, whereby the entire chain may be detached from the sheath or casing. It Will also be understood that the chain may be replaced by reversing the operations Within the sheath or casing, and it should be borne in mind that the chain has its terminal links connected detachably to the clips at opposite ends of the chamber within 'the casing, the intermediate portion of the 'chain being unattached to the sheath or casing, thus facilitating the operation of removing and replacing the chain. l

The hame-clip 24 consists of a plate, which Iis doubled upon itself to provide an eye 25, which is adapted to receive the clip-bolt 26,at- Vtached to a hame, as A. yThis hame-clip 24 is `provid ed with alongitudinal slot 24', through which is adapted to be passed the headed bolt 27, the latter serving to secure a metallic Wear-plate 28 to the tongue 5 of the trace. The stud or bolt y27 is of square or other angular form and provided with an an gu lar head ,Y

lthe length of Which exceeds the Width of the slot 241L in the hame-clip, saidhead of the stud being disposed a considerable distance above 'the wear-plate 28. If desired, the Wear-plate lmay be riveted to the tongue 5a of the strap.

In attaching the trace to the hame the tonguev 5LL is turned around, so that thel head 27 of the stud or bolt will pass through the slot 24rL of the clip 24, and the tongue and stud are `then turned in order to bring the head of the bolt or stud across the slot 24 in the position shown by Fig. 1, whereby the trace may be securely attached to the hame, and it maybe easily disconnected therefrom. v y i One of the important features of my improved trace consists in the employmentl of a 'flat foundation layer 5, having the chamber adapted to receive the metallic flexible chain, which is disposed in exceedingly compact relation thereto, said foundation layer 5 pre-l senting a flat smooth surface to the animal in` a manner to prevent rubbing or chang the horses legs. The metallic chain is of simple and strong construction and it is adapted to be housed or contained Within the chambered trace, so as to be vprotected and concealed thereby, and at the same time the parts'are noiseless in action, because the chain does not rattle by reason of its engagement With the leather trace. It is levident that the flaps 8 can be unlaced and spread open in order to permit the operator to obtain access to the IOC IlO

throughout the length of the trace.

chamber 6 for the purpose of placing the metallic chain thereinjor of removing the chain from the trace, after which the lacing-thong l() should be again engaged with the perforated iiaps. I do not desire under all circumstances to employ the leather trace havin g the flaps connected by the lacing-thong arranged to extend Under some conditions the flaps and the lacing-thong may be omitted, and this style of trace is shownby Figs. 7 andS, wherein I employ the flat foundation layer and the two series of layers 7,'Which are united to the foundation layer 4and. are disposed in parallel relation for the purpose of forming the intermediate channel or chamber 6. The metallic chain, the clips for attaching the same to the trace, and

the hame-'clip are the same as in the constructionheretofore described; but in order to compensate for the absence of the iiaps, which serve in a measure to hold the chain against displacement Within the channel or `chamber of the trace, I prefer to employa sesuitable fasteners, as shown by Fig. 8.

ries of keepers 29, which are secured to the bottom of the chamber 6 and on the foundation layer 5 by means of rivets 30 or other The t links ofthe chain are provided with tongues 31, which are adapted to engage With these keepers and serve to confine the chain against displacement and rattling Within theleather trace. Of course the keepers may be secured at proper intervals Within the channeled trace,

as shown by Fig. 7, and the hooks'l may be provided on the suitable number of links in order to engage With the spaced keepers.

In the embodiment of the invention shown by Fig. 9 I have modified the construction of the sheath forming a" part of the traceV and providing thereinthe longitudinal chamber or channel 6. The trace in this instance con-` sists of the foundation layer 5,the superposed t layer 7,'and a top layer 32,' the latter being secured with' the layers 7 upon the foundation 'in a suitable Way. This top layer is un-` slitted and solid throughout its length except for the employment of a short dividing-slot 33 near one end thereof, thus forming the short flaps 34, each having the perforations for the reception of a suitable lacing. The

1 sheath on the trace shown by Figs. 9 and 10 provides an inclosure through which the chain must be drawn, and the divided top layer of 'thissheath enables one of the chain-linksto be drawn therethrough in a manner to connect the same With the metallic clip 11.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A harness-trace consisting of a hat `leather sheath having a longitudinal chamber or channel, exposed metallic clips secured to said sheath at opposite ends of` the chamber therein, and a metallic chain housed Within Said sheath and having its end portions cow' pled detachably to said exposed clips, the part of the chain intermediate of its end links being unattached to the sheath.

2. A leather trace provided with a sheath having a longitudinal chamber or channel, flaps secured to the sheath and having means for closing them over the outer side of said channel, exposed clips secured to the'sheath atopposite ends of the chamber therein, and a metallic chain housed Within said sheath 'and coupled detachably at its ends to the exposed clips.

3. A leather trace provided With a sheath or casing having a longitudinal chamber, a slotted and eye-formed clip secured to the trace at one end of the sheath, another clip secured to the trace at the opposite end of the sheath and having an extended tongue, and a metallic chain having links provided With eyes and tongues, the tongue of one end link being coupled to the eye of one clip, and the eye of the other end link receiving the tongue of the other clip, the part of the chain intermediate of its end links being unattachcd to exposed metallic clips fastened tothe trace at oppositeends of the channel therein, a iiat metallic chain having its terminal links connected detachably to said clips, the part Iof the chain intermediate of its end links beingG unattached to the sheath, a stud or bolt fas# tened to one end of the trace, beyond one of the exposed clips thereon, and a slotted hameclip connected detachably to said stud or bolt.

6. A flat leathertrace provided with a longitudinal'sheath forming a channel or cham-i ber, a clip fastened to the trace at one end of the sheath, a heel-clip fastened to said trace atthe other endof the sheath and provided with an eye adapted for engagement Witha heel-chain or with a cockeye, and a iiat me-` tallic chain housed Within said sheathanldf ably to said clips, the part of the chain intermediate of its end links being unattached to the sheath.

In testimony whereof I have signed my IOO `having its terminal links connected detachjj,

name to this specification in the presence bf two subscribing Witnesses.

DANIEL K. BELLIS.

Witnesses: t

H. T. BEMHARD, EvnRAnn BOLTON MARSHALL. 

